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She leveled an accusing stare. “Yes,” I admitted, “I’ve heard him, too.” “And it doesn’t bother you?” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “I think,” I said carefully, “that right now, Noah needs to believe that it’s possible.” “But why?” “Because he loves her. He misses her.” At my words, I saw her jaw quiver. “I do, too,” she said. Even as she said the words, we both knew it wasn’t the same.?Despite our weariness, neither of us could face the prospect of going straight home after the ordeal at the hospital.

Jane shook her head. “I would have tried, but he was so adamant. I just hope that he’s not insisting on it because he knows . . .” She trailed off. I knew exactly what she was going to say.?“Because he knows he doesn’t have much longer,” she went on. “And that this is going to be his last big event, you know?” “He doesn’t believe that. He still has more than a few years left.” “You sound so sure of that.” “I am sure. For his age, he’s actually doing well. Especially compared to the others his age at Creekside. They barely leave their rooms, and all they do is watch television.” “Yeah, and all he does is go to the pond to see that stupid swan.

These are my private quarters, not your parlor, Stephen said, hitching himself up. And do not feign offense, dear wife, since you obviously knew what business you would find here. I do not feign offense. Anne eyed him sharply. Only regret, to have interrupted you from such pressing work. So. Stephen rose. By all means, let me know. What's the big surprise? A runner has arrived from Sardoney. He's brought word that your little jester is on the way. Two days out. With his lance. Thisis the news you thought would disarm me? Stephen seemed to yawn, taking another deep bite from his apple. That this poor fool marches on us? Why should this mean any more to me than a bite of this fruit, I say?

Ox snickered. You don't look so big. We were told you were eight fucking feet tall. If we have to fight, it will seem that, I said. The Languedocians looked me up and down in a way I could not read. Then they looked at each other and started to laugh. Fight you? The big one chortled. We've come to join you, fool. Word reached us you intend to march on Treille. We are sworn enemies of that prick Baldwin. We've been enemies of Treille for two hundred years. I looked at Daniel and we broke into grins. This is good news... but you're too late. Treille is already taken. We are marching on Bord. Bord?the thinner one said. You mean against that prick Stephen? I nodded. The same. For a moment, the two Languedocians drew their horses close and huddled together.

Have the men fan along the ravine, I said. I hoped to make a show of strength. This threat had come upon us so suddenly. Lances to the front in case they charge. Keep the horses in reserve, Daniel said. If these bastards come at us, they'll do so on foot. To a Languedocian, it's a sign of cowardice not to. Everyone rushed into formation. Then we stood there, hearts tense, holding our shields. The field was silent. Seems a good enough day to meet my maker. Odo strapped on his mallet. If you're stilllistening , God. All of a sudden, there was movement in the Languedocian camp.Get ready. I gripped my lance. Then two riders rode out from the pack and galloped toward us. They wish to talk, Daniel said. I'll go, I said. Here. I turned to Odo.

On the high ground, directly in our path, waited an ominous horde of warriors. Maybe three hundred of them. They wore no colors, just rough skins and high boots, swords and shields gleaming in the noonday sun. They were long-haired and filthy, and regarded us with no particular alarm. They looked ready for a fight. Panic shot through our troops, and through me as well. The ferocious-looking horde just stood there, watching us assemble out of the trees. As though battle were an ordinary thing for them. Horns blew. Horses whinnied. A few carts toppled over. At any moment, I expected them to charge. I ordered our column to a halt. The rabble ahead of us looked restless. Shit, had I led us into a trap? Odo and Daniel ran up to me.

Mydilemma. The chatelain smiled. He showed me his wrists. By which I am now unfortunately bound. I need a general, chatelain. If we march on Bord, we will not overcome it with sleight of hand. He took another sip of ale, seemed to think this over. What do I get if I help you take this city? I smiled. Mostly a lot of trouble with your old boss. Daniel Gui grinned. I'm not exactly sure I can return to that job now anyway. Indeed, Baldwin would be already savoring the taste of someone to blame. Only a chance, I answered. The same chance any of us have. To sue for peace and go back and live our lives as free men. There's an irony here somewhere. The chatelain chuckled. So far, you have taken my castle and put my liege in chains.

And to be sure,I was no general. The only military skills I had were those I had picked up in the Crusade. Nor did Georges, or Odo, or any of my other men have any tactical training. They were farmers and woodsmen. An old worry began to consume me: that I could be leading innocent men, who believed in my call, to slaughter. I needed a leader, but where could I get one? The third night out, I wandered over to where Baldwin and his men were being held. The duke glared at me belligerently. I merely shook my head and laughed. I knelt beside his chatelain, Daniel Gui. He was handsome and held himself with a strong bearing. He'd never complained of being a captive, unlike Baldwin, who spat curses and threats at anyone who met his eye.

Farmers in their fields, carpenters, goatherds with their flocks, ran to their fences to see a lord like Baldwin bound behind a fool. How can you continue on? people asked in wonder. Stephen has damned your very souls. He might as well, we called back, since that's all we have left. Once again I marched at the front in my tattered jester's suit, carrying the holy lance. But this time the army was properly outfitted. We had real swords and newly minted shields taken from Baldwin's men and painted in the green-and-red checkerboard that had become our crest. We also had crossbows and catapults to mount a siege, oxen and stores of food to sustain an entire army. You cannot take Bord, some mocked us.

The column grew. Alois's four turned into forty. Then forty more. Faces I recognized. From Morrisaey, Moulin Vieux, Sur le Gavre. Some on horses, others on foot. Their faces rugged, silent, proud. A lump caught in my throat. I didn't speak. They kept coming, line after line, men who still believed in me. Who had nothing left but their souls. Then, on a pale stallion, bound like a sack of wheat, I sawBaldwin. And his chatelain close behind. I could not believe what I was seeing! They all came? All four hundred? I asked Alois. He shook his head. Four hundred andfour. He grinned. If the Freemasons came along. Odo said to me, We figured, if our souls are fucked anyway, what do we have to lose? My heart almost exploded with pride. I stood there watching the column grow and grow.